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AnyViewer vs. Parallels Desktop for Mac vs. RealVNC Connect

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    AnyViewer

    Score6.5 out of 10
    N/AN/AN/A

    Parallels Desktop for Mac

    Score8.6 out of 10
    N/AParallels® Desktop for Mac is used to run Windows on Intel or Apple silicon. Users can switch between Mac and Windows applications, while retaining the macOS appearance, or use the familiar Windows desktop aesthetic.

    $99.99

    per year

    RealVNC Connect

    Score8.9 out of 10
    N/ARealVNC® Connect is a secure remote access solution from RealVNC. It can be used to connect to a remote device anywhere in the world to view its desktop in real-time and take control as though sitting in front of it.

    $99

    per year (one concurrent session)

    Pricing
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels Desktop Standard Edition
    $99.99
    per year
    Mac App Store
    $99.99
    per year
    Parallels Desktop Pro Edition
    $119.99
    per year
    Parallels Desktop Business Edition
    $149.99
    per year
    Essentials
    $8.25
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session
    Plus
    $16.50
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 3)
    Premium
    $29.75
    per month (billed annually) per concurrent session (add up to 5)
    Enterprise
    Custom Pricing
    per year
    Enterprise
    Custom Pricing
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Free Trial
    NoYesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsPlans work on a Per Concurrent Session basis. Each plan gives access to a bundled number of devices, but limits apply to the amount of devices that can be connected at any given time. The Premium plan includes On-Demand Assist, a useful tool for providing just-in-time remote support to end-users without them needing RealVNC Connect installed on their device.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Considered Multiple Products
    AnyViewer
    No answer on this topic
    Parallels
    No answer on this topic
    RealVNC
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    96%
    Would buy again
    25 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    11 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    24 Answers
    100%
    Delivers good value for the price
    10 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    96%
    Happy with the feature set
    25 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    11 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    96%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    22 Answers
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    7 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    23 Answers
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    11 Answers
    Features
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Application Virtualization
    Comparison of Application Virtualization features of AnyViewer and Parallels Desktop for Mac and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    AnyViewer
    -
    Ratings
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    9.1
    5 Ratings
    17% above category average
    RealVNC Connect
    -
    Ratings
    Application support00 Ratings9.25 Ratings00 Ratings
    Ease of deployment00 Ratings9.35 Ratings00 Ratings
    Security00 Ratings8.85 Ratings00 Ratings
    Remote Administration
    Comparison of Remote Administration features of AnyViewer and Parallels Desktop for Mac and RealVNC Connect
    Feature
    AnyViewer
    -
    Ratings
    Parallels Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    RealVNC Connect
    7.3
    32 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Screen sharing00 Ratings00 Ratings9.028 Ratings
    File transfer00 Ratings00 Ratings8.015 Ratings
    Instant message00 Ratings00 Ratings6.119 Ratings
    Secure remote access with Smart Card authentication00 Ratings00 Ratings7.05 Ratings
    Access to sleeping/powered-off computers00 Ratings00 Ratings6.09 Ratings
    Over-the-Internet remote session00 Ratings00 Ratings9.030 Ratings
    Initiate remote control from mobile00 Ratings00 Ratings9.019 Ratings
    Remote management of servers & workstations00 Ratings00 Ratings4.76 Ratings
    Centralized management dashboard00 Ratings00 Ratings7.116 Ratings
    Session record00 Ratings00 Ratings8.02 Ratings
    Annotations00 Ratings00 Ratings5.36 Ratings
    Monitoring and Alerts00 Ratings00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Multi-platform remote control00 Ratings00 Ratings9.011 Ratings
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    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
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    Score7.2 out of 10
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    Medium-sized Companies
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Remote Desktop Manager
    Score9.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access
    Score9.1 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Likelihood to Recommend
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.8
    (35 ratings)
    9.7
    (38 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.8
    (5 ratings)
    8.0
    (8 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.6
    (7 ratings)
    8.0
    (4 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (8 ratings)
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (4 ratings)
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    AnyViewerParallels Desktop for MacRealVNC Connect
    Likelihood to Recommend
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    Parallels is great for an end user that is primarily a macOS user, but occasionally needs Windows access to a specific application or service that is Windows only, or Windows primarily. It obviates the need for multiple desktop units or remote VMs where spin up time is an issue. It is not quite perfect due to the ARM version of Windows requirement, but that particular case is common to all ARM use of Windows.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    It is very easy to use if the remote device is already set up to receive connections, so if you are setting up devices before deploying them, it is a great tool to have. It is well-suited to use when shadowing users or using it as a teaching tool. There are other products that are better if you are trying to help someone on a one-use basis.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    • The configurations & space allocations can be done on parallels.
    • It integrates very well with the Mac; copying/pasting and sharing files can be done between the two platforms - Windows/Mac.
    • It supports virtual machines, Touch-ID (which works on Mac and will work on Windows, too), and bridges the gap between two operating systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • VNC Connect does an excellent job in remotely connecting to a computer through either your local area network or even another computer on the internet. As long as the VNC Connect services is installed and the client is running in the background.
    • VNC Connect provides password protection to prevent unauthorized users from attempting to remotely access your computer. There's an option to have a separate password to remotely view vs view & access a computer. You can even add an additional level of security by turning on the feature to require Windows login credentials.
    • VNC Connect provides an additional set of controls after a remote connection has been established with another computer. You can have special keystrokes like Ctrl+Alt+Del sent as a command sequence to the other computer as well as access more than a single screen when in use at the remote computer location.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    • Having to buy a new upgrade whenever Apple updates the OS with its yearly releases seems a bit excessive.
    • The integration features between Windows and Mac are enabled by default, which can clutter both sides; I would rather it was not default.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • Its a pretty straight forward product - I would like to see more tools with a "wow" factor.
    • Panel colors are blah - I would like more eye-catching colors.
    • A more consistent look with all platforms - like Mac & PC.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    Users are familiar with the application which will keep us going for a little while. However since we are seeing a decline for a need for the software, I wouldn't be surprised to find that this answer changes dramatically in the near future. We would probably keep it to some extent, but we would probably reduce our licensing count.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    VNC is a solid product for the price. It simply works and its reliable across different platforms. Some products state they work well in the Mac environment but don't deliver. This one does what it says. Connections are reliable, but of course, this depends on internet connections. The product works well over wireless connections as well. It delivers on what a remote tool should deliver on. My technicians are happy with the product and customers appreciate the ease of use when letting us connect to their systems. Some also appreciate the remote support while they are multi-task.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    It has a good integration, including the connection of peripherals. Taking files back and forth works well and I can attach my Home drive as a network drive in Windows. There is even integration with iCloud and other macOS services. There are also a few different display modes which are useful and fleixible (coherence, windowed, full-screen with multiple screens)
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    It's a niche product and in that niche they try to cater to as many use cases as they can. Other as a TCO aspect i don't see many use cases where you can't use this product as the one tool for all remote session use cases in your company
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    The Parallels documentation and support websites are great. I have not had much use for them, but a cursory check shows richly documented features aimed at both the layperson and the power user or software developer. Their website is well-designed and information is easy to find, and their list of known issues as well as bugfixes on point releases is clear and transparent. They aren't trying to hide any of the limitations of their software, and seem to be regularly updating it to fix new bugs that arise with Mac OS X updates.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    VNC Connect is a reliable product that has been around for a long time. It is reasonably priced and works well in the Mac & PC environment. When you have a small team that supports many users we need tools that we can rely upon and that will get the job done on the first try. Many customers appreciate the quick assistance and can multi-task while our team works on their computer issues remotely. From a customer service point of view, this tool gives us transparency and efficient effectiveness.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Online Training
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    No answers on this topic
    RealVNC
    The training is very informative, quick and to the point. All of the details one would need are present so the user doesn't have to go searching for additional information just to use the application. The layout of the training was also neat and concise, some of the other training sessions for other companies I've done in the past were confusing and not well thought out, this one is much more superior
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    The only advice I can provide is think about who is using the product and build the image based on the true needs of the user.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    No problem at all, love the product.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    Main two features that made the balance decission go to the Parallels Desktop were the possibility to pause the Windows partition easily (allowing to consume less resources in Mac and save battery) and the other one is the user interface feature called "Coherence" with allows you to show the Windows application windows as if they were native to the macOS, allowing for a better user experience.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    VNC is light and sleek with the quick setup, was impressed with the quick setup despite poor Internet connection outdoor. TeamViewer is good, but the pricing is not as good as VNC. Both do the basic job, but VNC still outperform TeamViewer in terms of performance and ease of use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    AnyViewer
    No answers on this topic
    Parallels
    • Saves money on having to buy a Windows and MacBook, as the MacBook can run almost 99% of all Windows software and usually run it faster and share between your MacBook transparently.
    • Gives employers the most flexibility with regards to which OS to adopt across an enterprise
    • We are a media company and everyone uses Macs in our industry, Fortune 500 companies also use Windows and MS Project, Parallels gives you the most flexibility for almost all of these use cases
    • Improves efficiency as the MacBook Pro M3 systems are much faster than some of the fastest corporate issued Windows laptops. What takes me 3-10 seconds for a video export can take 5 minutes on a similar Windows laptop
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    RealVNC
    • I have just used the software for about 1 month and so far so god. I am saving time whenever I can access my client's computers from my desk as opposed to having to leave my office to go to their offices. Saves me time and the client money.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    Parallels Desktop for Mac Screenshots

    Screenshot of Parallels Desktop running Windows applications, on a Mac.Screenshot of the ability to switch between operating systems without rebooting.Screenshot of Coherence Mode, which minimizes distraction.Screenshot of file sharing between Mac and Windows.Screenshot of application development and testing in Windows, Linux, and virtual macOS (Pro & Business Edition).Screenshot of license management in Parallels Desktop (Business Edition).

    RealVNC Connect Screenshots

    Screenshot of the Device List in the Connect v8 desktop appScreenshot of On-Demand Assist, which can be used to start a remote support session using a single-use code.